North Carolina Child Support Calculator
Free instant estimate based on North Carolina's Income Shares model (N.C.G.S. 50-13.4)
Enter Your Information
Your Results Will Appear Here
Select a state and enter your monthly gross income to see an estimated child support payment based on net income.
How North Carolina Calculates Child Support
North Carolina calculates child support using the Income Shares model as established under North Carolina General Statutes Section 50-13.4. This approach is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family were intact. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and referenced against the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines schedule to determine the basic support obligation.
A distinctive feature of North Carolina's system is the use of different worksheets based on custody arrangements. Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary physical custody, meaning the child spends at least 243 nights per year with that parent. Worksheet B applies in shared custody situations where the child spends at least 123 nights per year with each parent. The choice of worksheet significantly affects the support calculation, as Worksheet B accounts for the direct expenses both parents incur during their respective parenting time.
Additional expenses including health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses are factored into the calculation and allocated proportionally between the parents. The North Carolina guidelines are updated periodically to reflect changes in the cost of raising children, and the court may deviate from the guidelines when special circumstances warrant an adjustment.